Riyadh

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Jump to: navigation, search Riyadh الرياض Riyadh skyline at night Flag Coat of arms Riyadh Location of Riyadh Coordinates: 24°38′N 46°43′E / 24.633°N 46.717°E / 24.633; 46.717Coordinates: 24°38′N 46°43′E / 24.633°N 46.717°E / 24.633; 46.717 Country Saudi Arabia Province Riyadh Province Government  • Mayor Abdullah bin Abdul Rahman Al Mogbel  • Provincial Emir Khalid bin Bandar Al Saud Area  • Urban 1,000 km2 (400 sq mi)  • Metro 1,815 km2 (701 sq mi) Elevation 612 m (2,008 ft) Population (2010)  • City 5,254,560  • Density 3,024/km2 (7,833/sq mi)  • Metro 6,800,000   Riyadh Development Authority estimate Time zone EAT (UTC+3)  • Summer (DST) EAT (UTC+3) Postal Code (5 digits) Area code(s) +966-11 Website www.arriyadh.com

Riyadh (/rɨˈjɑːd/; Arabic: الرياض‎ ar-Riyāḍ pronounced ,"The Gardens") is the capital of Saudi Arabia and its largest city. It is also the capital of Riyadh Province, and belongs to the historical regions of Najd and Al-Yamama. It is situated in the center of the Arabian Peninsula on a large plateau, and is home to 5,254,560 people, and the urban center of a region with a population of close to 7 million people. The city is divided into 15 municipal districts, managed by Riyadh Municipality headed by the mayor of Riyadh, and the Riyadh Development Authority, chaired by the Governor of Riyadh Province, Prince Sattam bin Abdulaziz. The current mayor of Riyadh is Abdullah Bin Abdul Rahman Al Mogbel, appointed in 2012. Riyadh has the largest all female university in the world, the Princess Nora bint Abdulrahman University. It has been designated as a Beta World City.